2023 -- S 0224

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LC001444

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- RHODE ISLAND STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT

PROGRAM

     

     Introduced By: Senators DiMario, Euer, Lawson, Sosnowski, Lauria, Valverde, Picard,
Murray, and Gu

     Date Introduced: February 16, 2023

     Referred To: Senate Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Title 16 of the General Laws entitled "EDUCATION" is hereby amended by

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adding thereto the following chapter:

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CHAPTER 112

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RHODE ISLAND STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM

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     16-112-1. Short title.

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     This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Rhode Island Student Loan

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Repayment Program”.

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     16-112-2. Creation.

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     (a) There is hereby established at the Rhode Island student loan authority (RISLA) a

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restricted receipt account entitled the Rhode Island student loan repayment fund (“the fund”). The

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fund shall be used to provide eligible individuals, as defined in § 16-112-4, with payment from the

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state to the individual’s lending agency to pay a portion of their student loan debt.

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     (b) RISLA shall administer the fund.

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     (c) RISLA shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement this chapter,

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which shall include, but are not limited to, providing an easy-to-follow guide in a variety of

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languages regarding how to complete the request for student loan repayment assistance.

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     16-112-3. Definitions.

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     For purposes of this chapter:

 

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     “Underserved community” means a federally designated health professional shortage area

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as identified by the United States Health Resources and Services Administration.

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     16-112-4. Eligibility of individuals.

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     (a) Individuals employed by a Rhode Island based employer may be eligible for the Rhode

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Island student loan repayment program if they:

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     (1) Have unpaid health professional student loans;

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     (2) Have a license to practice as a clinical social worker; and

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     (3) Have committed to practice full time for two (2) years or practice part-time for four (4)

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years within this state.

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     (b) Preference for student loan repayment assistance under this chapter may be given to

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individuals who work in an underserved community.

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     16-112-5. Student loan repayment of program amounts.

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     The total amount of student loan repayments may not exceed the outstanding balance.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- RHODE ISLAND STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT

PROGRAM

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     This act would establish the Rhode Island student loan repayment program wherein eligible

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individuals who: (1) Have unpaid health professional student loans; (2) Have a license to practice

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as a clinical social worker; and (3) Have committed to practice full-time for two (2) years or practice

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part-time for four (4) years, within Rhode Island, may apply to have their student loans, or a portion

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thereof, paid by the state directly to the individual’s lending agency. The program would be

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administered by the Rhode Island student loan authority (RISLA).

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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